Google launches resource page for Philippine elections

Tweet

#google.com.ph/elections

Filipino voters can now visit one site to keep abreast with election news from different media outlets. Broadcast networks ABS-CBN, GMA, PTV, and SOLARtv, and online news portals Rappler, PhilStar.com, Inquirer.net and Interaksyon.com collaborated with Google Philippines to create Google.com.ph/elections. The site is a one-stop online hub for elections-related news and information created to help 53 million Filipino voters, including 700,000 absentee voters abroad, stay updated about the coming polls. 

“We want to make sure citizens have a quick access to information to help them make informed decisions on election day,” said Narciso Reyes, Google Philippines Country Manager. “This is part of our commitment to bring to the Filipinos essential information that will make their lives easier and more meaningful.” 

The Elections Page will allow Filipinos to engage with candidates through a variety of Google’s platforms, such as live-streamed debates on YouTube hosted by the media collaborators. “Through the different components we included on the page, Filipinos can discuss issues with the candidates, or exchange views with reporters or other citizens on Google+ Hangouts. There’s a lot of information on it, from political party backgrounds to list of candidates, so there’s less reason for voters not to be updated with the daily grind of the election season,” said Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Head of Marketing. 

The page curates stories from different news sites and hosts up-to-date broadcast coverage from the networks’ YouTube channels. Elections-related incidents provided by the online news collaborators are also plotted on Google Maps embedded on the page to inform the public about events taking place in different parts of the country. This will help election watchers focus on hotspots and monitor how events are unfolding in these areas. 

Another key component of the page is the Precinct Finder, which makes voting centers easy to find based on city, region and the voter’s precinct number. Precinct locations are currently being plotted on Google Maps by volunteers and will be available on the page before May 13, 2013. 

The Philippine Elections page is the first online initiative to bring together multimedia content from the country's large media outfits. This collaboration between the networks and Google aims to encourage people to be more participative and critical of what candidates aspire for the nation. It also allows voters to have a deeper understanding of politics and governance through engagement with the candidates. 

"This effort merges traditional with new media and revolutionizes how election information is shared online,” said Gail Tan, Google Philippines Communications Manager. “The great thing about this information aggregation is that it complements the Pinoy culture of sharing. It also transforms social media into a progressive platform for forming opinions, which enriches public discourse, and helps our electorate – from the first time voters to busy professionals, and even our overseas Filipino workers who can now have easy, first-hand access to election news,” she added. 

Howie Severino, GMA Vice President for Multimedia Journalism and GMA News Online Editor-in-Chief agrees, saying, “We're glad to be contributing to Google's effort to inform Filipino voters using content produced by Filipino journalists. Democratic rights in the Philippines coupled with the technology in their hands make many Filipinos super-empowered citizens. Well-curated information will help ensure that their power is used with discernment on election day and beyond.” 

Google created its first elections page five years ago when its engineers noticed a huge increase in search traffic around the election period in the United States. Today, 16 countries including Malaysia, Thailand, and now, the Philippines, have elections pages that aid voters in their decisions before elections are due. 

“Google's election page will definitely contribute in shaping our smart voters, particularly the youth. Because the vote of an informed voter could help shape the future of our nation. And a highly informed voter is more likely to vote than those who are not,” said Clift Daluz, SOLARtv Head of News Online. 

“When people choose their leaders, an informed electorate makes the best choice. Sites online such as Google's election page give people accurate information that help them use the power of their vote intelligently,” said Dinah Libunao, PTV Head of New Media. 

“With more resources available online, catching up on election news becomes a simple but crucial step in honing more discerning voters. We hope the Elections Page does just that,” said Deborah Nga, Country Lead for the Philippines on Public Policy and Government Affairs, Google Southeast Asia. 

The Google Philippines Elections Page can be accessed at google.com.ph/elections.

Follow Google Philippines on Google+ (Google Philippines) and Twitter: @googleph.

About Google Inc. 

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D . students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.ph 

SM Ice Skating Supports Top Filipino Figure Skater Michael Martinez

Tweet

Figure skating is an expensive sport. This is particularly due to the costs of ice time and coaching. Figure skating is a sport and activity in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. The four Olympic disciplines are men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Ice skating consisting of one or more planned sequences of required and optional spins, jumps, and dancelike maneuvers, originally consisting of a program in which the skater traced prescribed, usually elaborate figures.

Michael Martinez, Philippines' first representative in the Winter Youth Olympics, as he vies in the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, a qualifying event for the 2014 Olympiad in Sochi, Russia. 

Michael Martinez, considered as the youngest and most accomplished senior level skater from the Philippines, having collection a total of 194 medals and trophies since 2005.

Martinez, who enjoys a rank of 19th in the International Skating Union (ISU) Season’s Best World Rankings, primes up for rigorous training abroad in his determined effort to nail one of six berths to Sochi to be disputed in the Sept. 25-28 Nelbelhorn tourney in Oberstdorf, Germany.

He began skating in 2005 at a shopping mall ice rink. He trains mainly in Manila, and also spends several months a year in California with coaches Ilia Kulik, John Nicks and Peter Kongkasem.

Martinez debuted on the Junior Grand Prix series in the 2010–2011 season. He won his first senior international title, also a first for the Philippines

"Now that I deserve to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Olympic Games, this meant that I would have to train more and harder. It also entails a lot of sacrifice and hard work on my part, and more expenses for more lessons, not to mention the sacrifice by my family in terms of time and finances," Martinez said.

“Ice skating is really expensive so this will be a big help to pay for coaches, ice time,” said Martinez. He shared to us that he regularly spends about $100 per hour for the services of his coach alone.

This 16-year-old recent high school graduate is looking forward to become the first Filipino Winter Olympian.

“I’ll try my best to make it to the Olympics,” he added.

Seeing the potential of Martinez, a home-grown talent, SM Ice Skating took the lead in supporting his endeavors and will upkeep his tournaments as the young achiever continues to give glory to the country.

SM Ice Skating gave Martinez a checque to help fund Martinez' training in the US to ensure that the young Martinez will eventually bag our country a gold medal during the Olympics.

Me and my children had admire him when we watched him skates on ice at the SM Mall of Asia Skating rinks.

Good luck Michael! 

Watch this video of Michael Christian Martinez , 2012 World Junior Figure Skating Championship.

Special Mother's Day Treats from Our Kitchen by Manila Catering

Tweet

Mother's Day on Sunday May 12 is a special day and as always let her know she's No. 1! Looking for a perfect special gift for her is not as easy. You could go the classic route and give  greeting card, send a lovely bouquet of Mother's Day flowers, or chocolates and personal things she looks for always. Ideas are endless. But Mother’s day takes her getaways Sunday to enjoy good food as an extra special feast!

One thing came on my mind, Our Kitchen by Manila Catering!

Our Kitchen is a one-stop shop that offers a wide array of delectable dishes, mouth-watering cakes, breads and pastries, and not to mention their Ready-to-Heat Meals that are convenient enough to take only minutes to heat, serve and eat. All these are made available through their Food-to-Go delivery service.

Our Kitchen is that they do not use artificial flavoring and preservatives on their dishes.

Our Kitchen’s Paella Marinara

Every mouthful of the perfectly cooked rice was an experience of the rich, buttery, sweetness, saltiness& freshness of the seafood with a balance of flavor and texture that is delightful to the palate. Our Kitchen’s Paella Marinara is for only P995a group of 5 personscan relish this authentic savory dish! (Also available order for 10pax and 20pax)

Lengua con Champignon  from Our Kitchen. 

Tender slices of Ox-tongue cooked in Cream of Mushroom sauce with Chorizo de Bilbao slices and mushrooms. For only P645 a group of 5 persons can enjoy this flavorful dish!
(Also available order for 10pax and 20pax)

For unplanned gatherings, meetings and special occasions you will enjoy the convenience of serving good food without the hassle of cooking.

Simply call the Food-to-Go Hotline at 415-8777 and just choose from their wide selections of specialty dishes (over 60 dishes to choose from). Hot Food delivered right at my doorsteps!

It’s time to be adventurous and you will be rewarded with something so delicious!

This coming Mother’s Day is extra special that’s why you wouldn’t celebrate it any other way only with Our Kitchen by Manila Catering.

Enjoy the wonderful world and happy Mother's Day! 

A Day For Discovery and Exploration at Baby Blast Year 4!

Tweet

Kids nowadays are spending less and less time outdoors, having been exposed to gadgets and other forms of technology even as infants. But recent studies show that children, especially those aged 3 and below, who play outdoors regularly grow up happier, healthier, and stronger!

As more and more diversions are created for children to engage in, how can we help in making sure a child gets the best kind of learning at his or her most crucial stages?

Since 2010, Baby Blast has spread awareness that enjoyable, unforced learning, as well as hands-on play and parent-child bonding during the age of 0-3 years is critical in laying down the foundation for the child’s future learning and holistic development.

Every year, attendance to the event grows in number, as more families enjoy the fun activities and learn from the featured topics.

Outbox Media Production Agency, in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), once again celebrated the wonder of life at its early stages! EHS advocates, teachers, experts and parents together with their kids, gathered last April 14, 2013, from 10am-8pm at the Trinoma Activity Center for “Baby Blast Year 4: Discover, Create, Imagine and Explore!” a one-day event highlighting the importance of early childhood education.

This year’s event was hosted by Toni Aquino of DZMM, Jackie Go of gojackiego.com, pre-school teacher and TV host, Nikki Veron Cruz, celebrity moms Snooky Serna and Jenny Miller, sportscaster Anthony Suntay and journalist Peach Mascarinas, together with the tandem of Anthony and Rossel Taberna. Performances and messages of support for early education were also given by Gail Blanco, Paolo Santos, Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and Tintin Bersola-Babao.

The program was opened by a dance number from talented child singer Pauline Agupitan, together with the Neutron Acrobats and OBM Dancers.

This year’s program highlighted the importance of allowing babies and kids to experience the outdoors and engage in physical activities that can benefit their social, mental, physical and emotional development, given today’s tendency to merely rely on gadgets and technology to keep kids busy.

There were parenting and health talks led by experts and medical practitioners, like Ms. Glenda Derla, Child Welfare Specialist from the DSWD and Dra. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico of the PPS - School Health Committee.

Echo Store owner, Sharon Chua, shared an interesting topic on being a “green mom” or “eco mom”, discussing how kids can become more environmentally conscious and giving a recycling demo called “From Trash to Toys”.  

Life coach Ms. Maricel Moreno-Laraya also gave a talk for parents on “How To Keep A Loving Relationship With Your Partner.” Essential Newborn Care was also tackled by the Consultant of the MMC and CSMC Pediatrics Department, Dra. Lourraine Co, MD, FPPS.

A revival of traditional Filipino outdoor games or “Palarong Pinoy” was also dicussed and demonstrated by TV Host Patty Nuguid-Santos of Buhay Pinoy, promoting the benefits of fun play and interaction for young kids.

On-ground areas like the World of Discovery, Beyond your Imagination, Baby Explorers and Creativity Corner gave kids the chance to play and interact with other kids, browse through books, play with toys, draw with art materials, and get hands-on with the educational gadgets and activities available today.

Contests for the whole family were held before the event, and winners were awarded during the program. Baby Magazine held the “Brilliant Babies Video Contest” where parents sent videos of their babies showing advanced development. The winning entry received a 1-year subscription from Baby Magazine, along with other prizes.

The “We Love the Outdoors Family Contest” gave families a chance to submit their best photo doing a fun, outdoor activity. The winning entry won a family staycation package at the Waterfront Manila Pavilion. Other contests held were the “Design My T-Shirt” art contest where kids submitted their interpretation of this year’s Baby Blast theme. The winning entry became the official Baby Blast event t-shirt design and received art materials and other prizes. For the moms and dads, The Blounge Salon also raffled off a Full Pampering package to give parents a well-deserved treat.

Both kids and parents also joined fun contests from Bye Bye Fever, Rite Med, Refresh Big Sip, Regent, Ferna, Lock & Lock, Bibbo Hotdog, Bounty Fresh, Uratex, Osihi, and Magnolia Frozen Delights. Lots of prizes were given away!

The event’s official print partner, Baby Magazine, also held a Search for the Cutest Babies attending the event. Babies were awarded at various times during the program, and all selected babies will be featured in the magazine’s next issue.

Pre-schools like Dynamic Recall, Playlab, LinxProvi8, H.A.N.D.S. of Children, Filway Marketing, and First Robotics also presented their EHS Programs for parents who are looking for schools to enroll their kids for the summer or for the next school year.

There were also mascot appearances by Ainon Baby, Bibbo Hotdogs, Robby Rabbit, and TJ Hotdogs, much to the kids’ delight!

Cool science experiments by Mad Science captivated the kids in the audience! Diliman Prep School also had their taekwondo team onstage to demonstrate a routine.  Self-defense techniques to stop bullying were also presented by International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF).

Free face painting and kiddie hairstyling was also made available to the event participants courtesy of Outbox Media. Booths and other fun activities wowed everyone, and exciting freebies and loot bags were also given away.

Baby Blast is an annual event that aims to enlighten parents that enjoyable, unforced learning, as well as hands-on play and parent-child bonding at an early age is the key to an intelligent, well-rounded and well-mannered individuals. See you again next year for another round of Fun Learning!

It was truly a great day for the whole family!

This event was made possible by Purefoods Crispy Chicken Burger, Purefoods Crispy And Juicy Drummets, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Magnolia Frozen Delights, Bounty Fresh Chicken, Regent Foods Corporation, Refresh Big Sip "Big Sip Sarap For Big Thirst", Jack N' Jill Candies, Ritemed, Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel, Bibbo Cheesedog, Ferna Hotcakes, Bye-Bye Fever, Uratex Foam, Robby Rabbit, Ainon Babies, Lock And Lock, Oishi Choco Flakes, Unilever, New San Jose Builders, Links Provi8, Ahavia Spa, Transfer It, I Clickz Photo Booth, Fax, Parcel And Print, 18 Days Coffee Roaster, Dental First, Guard Protect, The Blounge Hi Tech Salon, Tunying's Sarap Tinapay To The Max, Together With Baby Magazine, Official Magazine Partner, Studio 23, 96.3 Easy Rock, Dzmm Tele Radyo, Moms Today, Health Today, Moms And Kids, Mod Magazine, Woman Today, Q Asia, Parentin.Tv, wheninmanila.com and manilalife.com.

For more information on this event and other upcoming events from Outbox Media Production Agency, log on to: www.outboxmedia.com.ph

Australia as Top Study Destination in IDP Fair

Tweet

Australia is highlighted once more as among the world’s best education destinations in the next education fair organized by IDP Education Philippines this month.

The Australian Education Exhibition 2013 will be held at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao on Friday, May 17. It moves to the Dusit Thani Makati the following day, culminating with its Cebu staging at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu on Sunday, May 19.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Institute of Statistics reports that Australia ranks among the top five destinations for tertiary education among the world’s mobile students. In 2010, it received 17% of the total number of students hosted in the East Asia and Pacific countries, second only to the United States.

From July 2011 to June 2012, there were 2,633 Filipino students who went to Australia to study, making it the Number 1 study destination of Filipinos.

Students prefer to go to Australia for diploma, certificate, training and further education (TAFE) because the country offers many benefits, foremost of which are internationally recognized qualifications, part-time work opportunities and higher post-graduation employability potential.

Changes were made in March to the Temporary Graduate visa allowing recent graduates the opportunity to spend more time in Australia (to gain practical experience) following completion of their bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees.

As it continues to host students from different cultures, Australia is also able to offer an increasingly diversified cultural environment. Graduates then have the advantage of being exposed to a variety of cultures and building an international network of contacts which they can tap into once they enter the workplace.

IDP Education Pty. Ltd. is the world authority in Australian education being 50% owned by 38 Australian universities. It is the world’s largest student placement and English language testing services provider.

IDP Philippines opened in 1996 and has since provided free admissions and visa counselling to place thousands of students in colleges and universities in Australia, the US, UK, New Zealand and Canada. The annual Australian Education Exhibition brings representatives of Australian universities and TAFE colleges to the Philippines for direct consultations and admissions facilitation and is considered the best means for students to consider available education options, providing information on courses and programs, admissions requirements, costs and living arrangements.

Filipinos are on the brink of becoming a significant player in the international market. The deployment of the young abroad to achieve not only a better understanding of other people but also advanced systems can only enhance the advantages they now have. There is no block or hindrance to achieving international recognition except for the reluctance to try. Filipinos, forge ahead!

Pre-registration is required for the seminars. Register online at idpdavao.eventzilla.net, idpmanila.eventzilla.net or idpcebu.eventzilla.net. Like IDP Philippines on facebook or call 236-2758 for daily updates and promo information.